Feminist Acts Podcast Launch and Live Recording, Panel on Dismantling Gender Inequalities in the Victorian Charter of Human Rights

Description

Imagine being a parliamentarian working on gender equality. What problems would you tackle? What laws would you make? How will you make sure those laws actually work?

Join the Feminist Legal Studies Group at Monash Law for the launch of Feminist Acts, an eleven episode research-based podcast emerging from  The Feminist Legislation Project: Rewriting Laws for Gender-Based Justice.

Attend a live recording of the podcast and hear a panel discussion featuring human rights and gender experts who will debate their amendments to the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities to dismantle structural gender inequality, empower women and provide effective remedies for human rights violations.

Facilitated by podcast co-hosts Associate Professor Becky Batagol (Monash Law) and Professor Kate Seear (Deakin Law School), the panel will feature Associate Professor Tania Penovic (Deakin Law School), Professor Julie Debeljak (Monash Law), Kate Eastman AM SC (New Chambers, NSW Bar, University of Technology Sydney) and James Pattison (Miniature Podcasts).

Strap in for a journey of radical imagination!

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Event details

Date: Friday 14 August 2026

Time: 5.00 pm to 8.00 pm

Venue: Monash University Law Chambers Auditorium, 555 Lonsdale St, Melbourne

Format: In-person (podcast recording available afterwards)

Catering: Canapés and non-alcoholic drinks after the recording

Cost: Free

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Why attend

• Be the first to access episodes of the new podcast, Feminist Acts, a how-to guide for MPs, policymakers and students to make impactful changes to the law to improve the lives of  women, non-binary, gender diverse, intersex and transgender populations. Hosted by Becky Batagol and Kate Seear, funded by the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise) and Senior Vice-President, Monash University and produced by James Pattison at Miniature Podcasts
• Gain insight into the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act and how human rights legislation can be used to change patriarchal cultures of conduct, empower women and help eliminate gender inequality
• Engage directly with leading feminist legal scholars and practitioners
• Be part of a live podcast recording and learn about how research podcasts are made
• Connect with like-minded academics, students and members of the legal community

Who should attend

• Monash Law students, alumni and staff
• Critical legal scholars with an interest in gender and law
• Legal practitioners, law reform and policy makers and industry professionals
• Law and high school students interested in law reform
• Anyone interested in law, rights, and equality

Register now

Speakers

Presented by the Monash Law Feminist Legal Studies group, this event brings together contributors to the Feminist Acts podcast, the Feminist Legislation Project and recognised experts in constitutional and human rights law.

Featuring:

• Associate Professor Becky Batagol (Monash Law), podcast cohost and MC
• Professor Kate Seear (Deakin Law School), podcast cohost and MC
• Professor Julie Debeljak (Monash Law), panellist
• Associate Tania Penovic (Deakin Law School), panellist
• Kate Eastman AM SC (New Chambers, NSW Bar, Adjunct Professor University of Technology Sydney), panellist
• James Pattison (Miniature Podcasts) podcast producer and panellist

About the Feminist Acts podcast

Feminist Acts is an eleven episode podcast. It is a how-to guide for MPs, policymakers, lawyers and students to make impactful changes to the law to improve the lives of  women, non-binary, gender diverse, intersex and transgender populations.

Hosted by Becky Batagol and Kate Seear, funded by the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise) and Senior Vice-President, Monash University as part of the Research Talent Accelerator program. It has been produced by James Pattison at Miniature Podcasts.

Feminist Acts is a research-based podcast based on the Monash Law Feminist Legislation Project. You can listen to Feminist Acts on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all other podcast apps.

About the Feminist Legislation Project

The Australian Feminist Legislation Project project brings together 43 academics, lawyers and activists across Australia to amend existing legislation and draft new legislation with the explicit aim of promoting the needs and rights of women, non-binary, gender diverse and transgender populations. As the world’s first Feminist Legislation project, it seeks to reimagine how laws can be made to achieve gender justice. Published as a book in 2024, The Feminist Legislation Project: Rewriting Laws for Gender-Based Justice was edited by Becky Batagol, Kate Seear, Heli Askola and Jamie Walvisch and is available for free online or for purchase via Routledge.

At the nexus of academic work and activism, this project demonstrates how gender equality can be achieved through statutory law reform.The unique work emerged from the collective work of the Feminist Legal Studies Group at Monash Law.

Agenda

5.00pm
Arrival and registrations

5.30 pm
Welcome and introduction

5.35 pm to 7.00 pm
Live podcast recording and panel discussion

7.00 pm to 8.00 pm
Canapés and networking

Practical information

• Seating in the auditorium is limited
• Registration is required

This is a free event with limited seating. Secure your place now.

Register now